Rock Climbing Helmet

Helmets are built to protect the climber from falling rock, ice, or from impact during a fall. Rock climbing helmets should comply with standards and be approved by one of the following. Look for certification of compliance with one of these standards:

Union Internationale des Associations d' Alpinisme (UIAA)
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).
Community European (CE)

Materials: The outer shell of rock climbing helmets are commonly made from these types of materials: Polycarbonate shell, hard plastic, polyethylene, polycarbonate or fiberglass. The inner shell is made for fitting comfort and distributing impact force. The inner shell is usually a foam liner or harness system.

Plastic. climbing helmets are lightweight and strong and make good choices for caving, rock climbing and rappelling. This type of helmet is lighter than the fiberglass or polycarbonate composite helmets.
Fiberglass and polycarbonate composite. Climbing helmets absorb the shock energy by breaking. The outer shell of the composite helmet absorbs the energy. Plastic and nylon helmets transfer the shock to the inner cradle harness. This type of helmet has a useful life about twice as long as the plastic helmet. Helmets made from fiberglass or polycarbonate are good choices for ice climbing.

Adjustability: Helmets for climbing should fit tight but not uncomfortably tight. There should be no gap between the head and inner suspension. The padding should press firmly and uniformly in pressure all the way around the head. The chin strap should be adjustable and circumference harness system.

Ventilation: The holes for ventilation on climbing helmets are small to limit rocks and dirt from getting inside. Many helmets provide option for plugging top side vents during cold weather. Some vent on the side using small holes or side ports.

Weight: The weight of a climbing helmet varies from about 10 oz / 280 grams, to 17 oz / 480 grams. Choose your helmet based on the importance of weight, considering the tradeoffs.

Recommended use: Many indoor climbers don't wear helmets--most gyms / climbing walls do not require their use. However, when climbing outdoors on rock or ice, rappelling, or cave climbing, it's pretty important to wear one. Protective head gear used in other sports, or construction hard hats should not be substituted. Climbing helmets are designed to excel in different climbing environments: Rock, big wall, face, mountaineering, ice, and cave climbing are different environments. Choose a helmet with the features required the particular sport. Each manufacturer provides a recommend use.

Warranty: This varies by manufacturer and varies widely. Check the warranty for each climbing helmet individually.

Care of your rock climbing helmet. Do not sit or step on it. When you finish climbing, wipe it down with a moist cloth inside and out. Store it in a cool, dark, and dry location with other climbing gear. Dry it by hanging it on a clothesline. Check it out before climbing, look for signs of wear or damage.

Rock Climbing Helmets:

CAMP USA Starlight Climbing Helmet. The Starlight rock climbing helmet is ultra light and low-profile. This is a good choice when low weight and small size is important. It is light weight, made with a thin polycarbonate shell covering the impact-absorbing foam interior. Great for sport and traditional climbing. Features a headlamp clip for hiking out at night or caving.

Material: Polycarbonate shell over polystyrene interior
Ventilation: Vents on sides
Adjustability: Adjustable chin strap and circumference
Weight: 10.6 oz / 290 g
Recommended use: Rock climbing
Warranty: Lifetime

CAMP USA High Star Climbing Helmet. The High Star uses durable polyethylene outer shell with a nylon inner structure. The strap adjustment system is simple with few moving parts. The Dri-lex headband is sweat absorbent. There are two ventilation holes on each side.

Material: Polyethylene
Ventilation: Holes
Adjustability: Adjustable strap with clip buckle
Weight: 15.2 oz / 430 g
Recommended use: Climbing
Warranty: Special

Petzl Elios Helmet. The Elios climbing helmet is lightweight and made with a polycarbonate shell and impact-absorbing form liner. It is well ventilated. Has clips for a headlamp. Is a good choice for sport and alpine climbing. The Elios can be adjusted with a single wheel in back--can even be adjusted to fit over a stocking hat.

Material: Polycarbonate shell over foam liner
Ventilation: Holes on sides and under headlamp clips
Adjustability: Chin strap and circumference
Weight: 12.4 oz / 350g
Recommended Use: Climbing
Warranty: 3 years

Petzl Meteor III Helmet. At a weight of just 8.3oz, this is one of the lightest climbing helmets available. It is very well ventilated with 16 vents which are cut into the ultralight plastic through the closed-cell foam shell to keep you cool on warm days. It has a ratchet strap that allows a fit and adjusts easily to any head.

Material: Thin plastic shell over closed cell foam
Ventilation: 16 Vents
Adjustability: Fully adjustable rear-ratchet strap
Weight: 8.3oz (235g)
Recommended Use: Sport and trad climbing
Warranty: 1 Year

Petzl Ecrin Roc Helmet. The Ecrin adjusts to any head size. Adjusting wheels on the side of the shell improve adjustability. This is a mountaineering and climbing helmet that is well suitable for aggressive vertical activities. Has an adjustable suspension system with a versatile chinstrap adjustment which can be moved forward or backward to fit different facial sizes. Comes with two head bands of thick or thin foam depending for your preference. Headlamp clips are installed.

Material: Hard Plastic
Ventilation: Holes on top sides of helmet can be plugged for cold weather
Adjustability: Full w/ chin strap
Weight: 16.8 oz / 475 g
Recommended use: All vertical sports
Warranty: Limited

Black Diamond Half Dome Climbing Helmet. This climbing helmet is cool and fits comfortably. It is adjustable with a twist to make the circumference bigger or smaller to match your headwear. Its low-profile design keeps the dork factor down when you're at the crags, and may save you from getting your head stuck in an offwidth one day.

Material: Hard plastic and foam
Ventilation: Side ports
Adjustability: Fully
Weight: 15 oz / 423 g
Recommended use: Rock
Warranty: 1 year

CAMP USA Star Kid's Climbing Helmet. This kid's climbing is sturdy and durable. It is ventilated to allow airflow on hot days. It can be adjusted to any kids size using a ratchet headband, and can be expanded when he/she grows. The back of the helmet is a little lower for protection in case your child falls making this a good climbing helmet for kids.

Material: Hard plastic shell
Ventilation: 15 Vent holes
Adjustability: Ratchet for circumference and adjustable buckle at the chin
Weight: 13 oz
Recommended use: Kid's level sport climbing helmet
Warranty: Lifetime

CAMP USA Pulse Ski and Climbing Helmet. This is rated as both a ski and a climbing helmet. Excellent choice as a dual purpose helmet for ski trips where access requires technical pitches on the ascent. This is the one helmet required for ski mountaineers.

Material: Shell is plastic and liner is closed-cell foam
Ventilation: 6 Vents with removable plugs
Adjustability: Ratchet back, slide-lock chin strap
Weight: Size 1 is 10oz (285g); Size 2 is 12.5oz (355g)
Recommended use: Ski mountaineering, ice climbing, technical skiing
Warranty: 1 Year

Kid's Black Diamond Tracer Climbing Helmet. This kid's climbing helmet is very lightweight at just 8.5oz. It is very well ventilated and will keep your kid cook in the summer. It has nice graphics to appeal to kids so they will not leave the helmet behind.

Climbing Gear:

Backpacking Tents
Tents for all types of uses and conditions and sizes.
Tents.html

Camping Accessory
Things to make it easier and more enjoyable camping.
Camping_Accessory.html

Climbing Gear Manufacturers
All the manufacturers of the gear used in our sport.
gearmanufacturers.html

Discount Outdoor Gear
Incredible deals on the top sports gear and equipment.
Discount_Gear.html

Sleeping Bags
Bags for any condition, temperature or environment.
Sleeping_Bags.html

Sports Clothes
Apparel for sports enthusiasts for all type of active wear.
Sports_Clothes.html

Travel Backpack
Diverse selection in sizes, application and functionality.
Packs.html